CHAPTER 9

Veronica and Roxton were both hacking away at the jungle growth. Their objective was to create a trail wide enough to safely bring an injured person down. They were both covered with sweat. This was a hot and tiring chore, but neither showed any inclination to quit.

"Roxton, Veronica look," Challenger shouted, pointing ahead. They could see small mountains, mostly rock looming up through the jungle. "I believe that is where we'll find the caves."

"I hope you're right Challenger," Roxton replied, looking up at the sky.

"We should be there shortly," Veronica said. "It's not that far. The problem is going to be finding them once we get there. Baio said there were many caves. If they're inside they may not hear us. We may have to search several of the caves before we find them."

Roxton was not too pleased with this information. He knew once it got dark it would be next to impossible to go searching caves. They had to get lucky. They had to find them quickly. Marguerite's life depended on it. He knew Marguerite was in danger. Roxton didn't know how he knew. He just did and it was eating him alive. He had to find her.

Veronica tried concentrating on cutting the trail but those feelings of dread were growing stronger. She was almost afraid of what they would find once they got there. She hoped Malone was alright but her biggest fear was for Marguerite.

It was true she and the dark haired woman did not get along most of the time. But Marguerite was part of her family and she did not want anything to happen to her. Veronica did not know what Roxton would do if, God forbid, Marguerite didn't make it. She knew he had very deep feelings for the volatile woman.

I hope we're in time, Challenger thought. I don't know if Malone is injured. I just hope I can help Marguerite when we do find them. It's been three days. Marguerite has suffered blood loss, how severe I don't know. She could even have an infection now, if she's still alive. NO! I mustn't think that. She is alive. She has to be. Losing her is not acceptable.

Challenger did not share his thoughts with the other two. It would only upset Veronica and Roxton, especially Roxton. Challenger knew the hunter was in love with Marguerite. He had known it for a while.

Marguerite had helped the hunter overcome his past and look towards the future. Challenger suspected that Roxton had become an adventurer and a great hunter because of his grief over his father's and brother's deaths. Sometimes he believed the man had a death wish. But that all changed when Marguerite came into his life.

It started out as simple attraction but it soon became more, much more. Roxton and Marguerite both fought against it in the beginning, but somewhere along the way, he stopped fighting. Unfortunately Marguerite hadn't. But that did not stop the hunter from pursuing her. To lose her now would devastate him. Challenger wasn't so sure he would recover this time.

The search party soon reached their goal, coming in just below the small rock mountain. They followed a small stream that seemed to flow right beside the mountain.

"Look!" Veronica shouted, pointing to the ground on the other side of the narrow stream.

"Footprints!" Roxten said excitedly. He crossed over the stream to take a closer look. "It's Malone's alright. I'd recognize his boot print anywhere."

Roxten headed towards the front of the mountain. Veronica and Challenger quickly followed. They stopped when they had reached their destination and just stared up at the massive rock face. Veronica walked past Roxton and started shouting.

"Malone!" Veronica yelled. "Are you there? Ned can you hear me? Malone answer me!" She was becoming desperate.

"Veronica you're wasting your time," Challenger said. "If they are in one of those caves they will never hear you."

Roxton pulled one of his Webleys and fired a shot into the air. Still there was no sign of either Malone or Marguerite.

"We will have to search each cave," Challenger spoke up. "I see no other solution. Maybe we will be fortunate enough to find them quickly."

"Okay let's split up," Roxton suggested. "That way we can cover more ground."

"I think we should look at this logically," Challenger said. "It is doubtful they would have chosen a cave on the ground level. It would not have afforded them much protection. There would also be a danger of flooding. My guess is they are in one of the higher caves."

"Well it looks like there are plenty of those," Veronica said. "We may not find them before dark."

Roxton looked up at the sky. It was about three hours or less before darkness descended and that made them helpless. They had to find their missing friends soon.

"You said look at this logically Challenger," Roxton stated. "Well it seems to me if Marguerite is wounded and Malone is carrying her, he would not go too far. I suggest we search the second level first."

"Good idea Roxton," Challenger replied. "Let's go."

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Malone stood up never taking his eyes off Marguerite. Her condition had not changed. He was very worried. If her fever didn't break soon, the dark haired woman might not make it. As much as it pained Malone to think of such things, he knew he could not ignore the facts. He grabbed both the canteens and headed for the doorway of the cave. Right now trying to cool her down with cold compresses was the only solution he had. He would not give up.

Roxton and Veronica had climbed up to the second level where there were many caves. They turned and bent down and helped Challenger climb up. They each took a section and began searching without any luck. Most of the caves were either too shallow or showed signs of rock slides or just looked unstable.

Veronica came out of a cave. It had been a dead end. She looked around. The others must still be searching. She turned to her left and stopped. At first glance it looked like another dead end. Then she realized the rock in front partially concealed the opening. She saw a movement out of the corner of her eye. Veronica turned just as Challenger and then Roxton came out of different caves.

"I see something I want to check out," Veronica said. "There's an opening at the end. I think it's a concealed cave."

"I don't see anything Veronica," Roxton said, looking past Veronica.

"You can't see it from there," Veronica replied. "Just follow me."

The three slowly made their way down to the opening Veronica had seen. They were almost there when Malone came out.

"Ned!" Veronica called. "Finally we've found you."

"Veronica, Challenger, Roxton!" Malone said, with obvious relief. "I'm so glad to see you."

"Where's Marguerite?" Roxton asked desperately.

"She's inside," Malone said solemnly. "She's hurt pretty bad."

Roxton tried to move past Challenger to get to the cave, but the scientist stopped him.

"Let Malone lead the way," Challenger said.

Malone turned and headed back into the cave followed closely by his three friends. Roxton shone the torch into the cave as he entered. He saw Marguerite lying on a blanket at the back of the cave. She appeared to be unconscious. He rushed to her side.

"Marguerite," Roxton called softly to his lady love. He caressed her face with his hand, quickly snatching it away. "She's burning up with fever." He looked accusingly at Malone.

"She has an infection," Malone spoke quickly. "I used all the anti-infection powder we had, as well as all the willow bark. It hasn't seemed to help. I've been bathing her with cool water, trying to lower her temperature."

Challenger walked over to the stricken woman and kneeled down beside her. He began to examine her.

"She has four major wounds and a broken arm?" Challenger asked.

"Yes," Malone replied." I put stitches in the wounds in her leg, side, and arm. The head wound didn't require them. It's her leg that is infected."

"We'll change her bandages and apply some more of my anti-infection powder," Challenger replied.

"Will she be alright George?" Roxton asked softly, his eyes never leaving Marguerite's face.

Challenger shook his head. "I don't know Roxton. It's been three days. She's lost a lot of blood and infection has set in. All we can do at this point is try. When did she develop this infection Malone?"

"Yesterday," Malone replied. "I used all the anti-infection powder trying to fight it. But it didn't seem to help."

"At that point the infection had probably already set in," Challenger said. "I doubt if there was anything you could have done." He did not want Malone to feel guilty, especially if they were unable to save this special woman. He looked over at Roxton. Fear and anger were both evident in his eyes. He looked accusingly at Malone but the younger man would not meet the hunter's eyes.

Challenger and Veronica worked together quickly doctoring Marguerite's wounds. Roxton was beside her, holding her hand the entire time. Malone stood back away from the others. He knew they all were angry. At least Roxton was. But now Marguerite had a fighting chance.

"It's almost dark," Veronica said. "We'll have to wait until tomorrow to move her."

"We can't wait," Roxton said desperately. "She needs more medicine, more care than we can give her here."

"I have plenty of anti-infection powder and willow bark," Challenger said. "I also have some Guandu. This will get us through the night." He reached into his pack, pulling out several leafy stems.

"Malone tear the leaves off and put them into a pot of water and let them boil for several minutes." Challenger handed the younger man the plant stems.

Malone did as the scientist instructed. While he was waiting for them to boil, he watched Lord Roxton. He was putting cool compresses on Marguerite's forehead and talking softly to her. Malone knew Roxton cared a great deal about Marguerite. What he hadn't realized until now was the hunter was very much in love with her.

After the leaves had boiled, Malone had taken them off the fire to cool down and then poured the liquid into a cup. Challenger came over and the young man handed the concoction over to the scientist. He used the spoon Malone had left in the cup and poured a small amount on his skin.

"Perfect," Challenger said. He walked over to Veronica and handed her the cup. "Try to feed as much of this to Marguerite as you can. It will help reduce her fever."

Veronica walked over to where the hunter sat. "Sorry Roxton, I need to get there and feed this to Marguerite."

Roxton stood reluctantly and allowed Veronica to sit down beside Marguerite. He watched as she opened Marguerite's mouth and gave her a small amount of the liquid and then used her fingers to put pressure on the older woman's throat, forcing her to swallow. Then he turned and walked towards Challenger and Malone.

"You want to tell me what happened?" The anger was evident in the hunter's voice. "You were supposed to take care of her, not injure her."

"I'm sorry Roxton," Malone began.

"You should be!"

"That's quite enough for now Roxton." Challenger said sternly. "We have more important things to concern ourselves with. Marguerite needs all of us, working together to help her through this. We will take turns sitting with Marguerite."

"Alright Challenger," Roxton said. "I'll let it go for now. "

Veronica stood up and walked over to the men. "I got some of this down her but I don't know if it will be enough."

"You did fine Veronica," Challenger said. "We'll save the rest and try giving her some more about every two hours. The liquid should help reduce her fever. It will also help with the pain."

"Roxton you will sit with her first. Two hours and then you wake me. Veronica you can have last watch and make sure all of us are awake in the morning."

"I can take a turn Challenger," Malone said.

"No Malone you need to rest," Challenger replied. "I suspect you haven't slept much the last few days. You will need all your strength for the journey back."

Malone nodded. They all settled down in their own little corner of the cave, trying to get a few hours rest before the difficult journey home. Roxton returned to the side of the woman he loved. He reached for her hand and held it tightly. He knew Challenger was worried, it showed on the older man's face. Roxton refused to acknowledge the possibility that Marguerite might not make it through the night.

"It's alright my love," he whispered. "I'm here now and I will take care of you. Everything is going to be alright." Roxton began putting cool compresses on her forehead again. It was going to be a long night. He tried to control the fear inside him. He had never been so afraid in his life. He couldn't lose her now.